Laurence Fox has divulged details of the crippling financial side to his 2016 divorce from wife Billie Piper.

The 40-year-old actor spoke to The Times, as he branded the split 'hor-rend-dous' and admitted he misses the 'large bank account' he shared with his then-wife, with whom he has sons Winston, 10, and Eugene, six.

In the candid chat, Laurence, best known for his previous role on Lewis and being part of the Fox acting dynasty, admitted he used 'time, forgiveness and compassion' to help get him through the painful and pricey split.

Pained: Laurence Fox has divulged details of the crippling financial side to his 2016 divorce from wife Billie Piper

Laurence, who broke up with his most recent girlfriend TV presenter Lilah Parsons in August, announced his split from Billie in March 2016 after eight years of marriage.

The handsome star and Billie, who recently had her third child and first with rocker beau Johnny Lloyd, tied the knot during an idyllic ceremony held at St Mary's in Easebourne, West Sussex on New Year's Eve 2007.

In May, the couple were then granted a 'quickie' divorce in 50 seconds when a judge granted the decree nisi on the grounds the marriage had 'irretrievably broken down'.

While their divorce took seconds, he admits the financial blow was 'horrendous' after pumping money into lawyers and the courts to come to an agreement.

Ouch: The 40-year-old actor spoke to The Times about his split, as he branded the split 'hor-rend-dous' and admitted he misses the 'large bank account' he shared with his then-wife, with whom he shares sons Winston, 10, and Eugene, six

Laurence said: 'It was quite a drastic life change. Goodbye, money! Goodbye, wife! Argh! But that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger, doesn't it? Obviously, you miss the large bank account but that's not everything.'

He admits the legal bills ate into the money he had reserved for his kids' education and revealed he got through the split with 'time, forgiveness and compassion'.

In happier times, Laurence was asked if he believed in love at first sight in 2010 to which he responded: 'Yes. It absolutely happened when I met Bill. We were in a rehearsal room and I knew there and then she was the one for me'

Way back when: In happier times, Laurence was asked if he believed in love at first sight in 2010 to which he responded: 'Yes. It absolutely happened when I met Bill. We were in a rehearsal room and I knew there and then she was the one for me'

In June last year, Laurence risked losing almost all contact with his children when he was involved in a custody dispute over access to his children which played out strictly behind the scenes with Billie.

It threatened to become overwhelming, not just because of the crippling legal costs which have drained the actor's finances, but because of the emotional toll.

Indeed, the formal, drawn-out proceedings, which finally concluded in the Family Division of the High Court last month, prompted regular anxiety attacks – a condition from which he is now free – and drove him to his lowest ebb.

Hard times: In June last year, Laurence risked losing almost all contact with his children when he was involved in a custody dispute over access to his children played out strictly behind the scenes with his ex-wife, herself the star of Secret Diary Of A Call Girl

He said: 'I was certainly in a very dark place at one point – at my lowest ebb. I almost felt like I couldn't go on. It all felt so hopeless...

'With divorce, you immediately lose half the time you'd spend with the kids. That in itself is a mental health crisis. But, like everything, these feelings pass and you start to feel stronger with every day...

'Men no longer feel comfortable talking about relationships, and for the men who bottle it, it can be disastrous – they end up throwing themselves off buildings.'

It was only the support of his family and the thought of his children living without him that helped Laurence back to full health and a position which, today, sees him resume his role as loving father.